BEN for Tue 19 Mar 2019 - Geelong set for $170 million centre, Spain in-demand,Thailand changes the

19th March 2019

business events news business events news Today’s issue of BEN Business Events News today has three pages of news plus a full page from One&Only Wolgan Valley.

One&Only offer ONE&ONLY Wolgan Valley is offering an inclusive group stay with daily dining, wines, beverages and activities.

See more on page four.

Westin reality THE Westin Sydney is offering planners the chance to view their event using VR (Virtual Reality) Tech.

The VR system allows clients to visualise what their event will look like in their chosen event space.

businesseventsnews.com.au

GEELONG SET FOR $170M CENTRE GEELONG is set to welcome a $170 million purpose-built convention and exhibition centre for up to 1,000 plenary delegates.

The centre, to be situated on the site of the car park at Deakin University’s waterfront campus, will have 3,000m2 of pillar-less exhibition space, banquet facilities, meeting rooms, a business centre and retail outlets.

Additionally, a four-star, 200key hotel adjoining the precinct has also been included in the plans.

“The brand new convention and exhibition centre is fantastic news for the region,” said Convention Bureau Manager Mark Day. “It will not only inject $50 million in economic impact annually to the region once operational, but it will also

open us up to bid for larger pieces of business that we have previously not been able to.”

Other improvements to the region to be funded under the landmark deal include a revitalisation of central Geelong, upgrades to infrastructure along Great Ocean Road, and a new

ferry terminal in Queenscliff to enhance services crossing Port Phillip Bay. The $355 million Geelong City Deal is a joint agreement struck between Federal and State Government.

Pictured is an aerial view of Geelong waterfront.

Uluru Uluru

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Thailand changes the game

business events news businesseventsnews.com.au

19th March 2019

SPAIN IN-DEMAND GLOBAL destination and event management company, Pacific World has identified that destinations including Spain, Thailand and China are on the top of the list for MICE planners.

Spain has continued to generate interest, topping both the worldwide and Europe/ Middle East/Africa (EMEA) lists for the second year in a row, along with France, UK, Italy & Monaco/South of France, who also topped the EMEA list.

“Motivated by the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games, the Paris region committed to enhancing the visitor experience, backed by a €23 million investment plan which will greatly boost France as both a tourist and MICE destination,” said Pacific World Global Marketing Manager Patricia Silvio.

Thailand has moved up this year to the second position

worldwide, buoyed by a “strong Convention Bureau and the backing of local and state governments”.

China, Indonesia and Singapore follow Spain in the worldwide list, with China continuing its strong presence in the MICE market, with more interest from a wider swath of audiences.

Up-and-coming countries such as Peru and Monaco also climbed up the list, with Peru moving up to sixth place this year. “[Peru] has made important infrastructure changes and investments and have proactively courted MICE planners in the US,” said Silvio.

“Moreover, the opening of a new convention center in Lima in 2015 was a game-changer in that the city is now able to host large-scale events.”

THAILAND has shifted its policy on providing supported site inspections for Australian meeting and incentive organisers.

Buyers for events with upwards of 80 guests are now eligible to apply for financial support, DMC services and ground transport to conduct a tailored inspection, which was previously only available to organisers of large conventions.

“The business event industry of Thailand headed by TCEB, knows that when decision makers can see the quality and diversity of the product available, they buy,” said Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) rep and Director of Clockwise Consulting Nicole Tingey.

“We expect this to have a major impact on the number of events that take place in Thailand over the next few years.”

Australian buyers will be able to find out more and apply for site inspections at the upcoming TCEB sponsored roadshow in which 14 Thai products will be revealed next month in Sydney and Melbourne.

“The roadshow is designed to immerse our guests in the Thai experience, and provide an easy way to feel, see and taste the Thai culture, we hope to entice people to then apply for a site inspection,” she said.

Thailand MICE Roadshow Sydney is held on 02 Apr and Thailand MICE Agency Showcase Melbourne is on 04 Apr. Pictured are traditional Thai Sukhothai dancers.

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New Zealand’s ICC is a step closer to completion.

Read more in the March issue of travelBulletin.

business events news businesseventsnews.com.au

CLICK to read

19th March 2019

WONCA CONFERENCE AUSTRALIA has won an international bid to host over 4,300 family doctors at the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) World Conference, which will be held at the International Convention Centre Sydney in 2022.

“This is an extraordinary win for the RACGP, Australian GPs and their patients,” said Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) President Dr Harry Nespolon.

“Doctors from every corner of the globe will converge on Sydney in Oct 2022 to share research and discuss best practice and techniques to keep people and communities healthy on an international

level,” he said.

“This gives us the chance to put Australia on an int’l stage.”

The bid was given financial support by Tourism Australia’s Business Events Bid Fund.

Tourism Australia’s Managing Director, John O’Sullivan said “attracting large-scale international business events to Australia is a critical part of Tourism Australia’s strategy”.

BESydney CEO, Lyn LewisSmith added “WONCA 2022 will mark 50 years since the global meeting was first held Down Under, attracting doctors from emerging, developing and developed health systems”.

Watch the RACGP’s video bid for WONCA 2022 HERE.

PTSD conference ABOUT 600 yellow rubber ducks made their way down the Huatoki Stream in New Plymouth, NZ for the annual Red Cross charity duck race.

Despite the challenges of last year’s race, where volunteers were left scrambling to collect their ducks after hundreds of them swam in the wrong direction due to the current being too strong, this year’s event went off without a hitch.

“They went where they were meant to go,” said Humanitarian Services Coordinator for Red Cross Taranaki and Event Organiser Shirley Birt.

business events news www.businesseventsnews.com.au Business Events News is part of the Business Publishing Group family of publications.

Business Events News is Australia’s newest online publication dedicated to the vibrant meetings, incentives, conferences and events sector.

CHARITY organisation FearLess is holding its first national conference on post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at the Events Centre in Caloundra from 21 to 23 Aug 2019.

The conference seeks to initiate a national conversation on PTSD and explore how to develop a community-owned and community-operated PTSD management protocol.

The conference will welcome 26 speakers and explore how PTSD impacts families, an overview of current medical research, and share accounts from people with PTSD. CLICK HERE to register.

EDITORIAL Editor in Chief and Publisher – Bruce Piper Senior Journalist – Nicholas O’Donoghue Contributors – Jasmine O’Donoghue, Adam Bishop, Sarah Fairburn, Anastasia Prikhodko info@businesseventsnews.com.au

Convene 2019

Vivid Syd launch

CONVENE North 2019, a showcase for organisers interested in hosting conferences, events or incentives on the North Island, will take place at the recently refurbished Aotea Centre, Auckland on 09 Apr. The first major refurb in 28 years, the Centre will feature fresh lighting, floor and wall treatments and new bars & exhibition spaces floors-register HERE.

VIVID Sydney from 24 May to 15 Jun has released its 2019 program featuring over 50 works across Taronga Zoo, Darling Harbour, Chatswood, Barangaroo and Luna Park.

In a partnership first, Pixar Animation Studios will illuminate Sydney’s Argyle Cut in The Rocks with characters of Pixar films, including Woody and Buzz Lightyear.

For event info, CLICK HERE.

Ormond reveals new hotels 2022 SOUTHEAST Asian hospitality brand Ormond Group is set to introduce two new hotel concepts to Melbourne in 2022.

The Ormond Melbourne and MoMo’s Melbourne on Flinders Lane will feature 537 rooms between the two properties, along with social spaces, multi-use spaces, a sky bar and restaurant.

Ormond Melbourne will embody “the spirit of luxury simplified”, while MoMo’s Melbourne is set to provide guests with “minimalist hotel rooms alongside playful spaces” that engage with “creative communities and urban nomads”.

“Through our new brands, we hope to be able to elevate the hotel scene in Melbourne through our inclusive approach to programming and design,” said Ormond Group CEO Gareth Lim.

Hear from: Leigh Barnes Chief Purpose Officer, Intrepid Group

30 April 2019 Primus Hotel, Sydney

Register quick!

Earlybird ends 29 Mar

ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Sean Harrigan, Hoda Alzubaidi and Melanie Tchakmadjian advertising@businesseventsnews.com.au

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Suite 1, Level 2, 64 Talavera Rd Macquarie Park NSW 2113 Australia PO Box 1010 Epping NSW 1710 Australia Tel: 1300 799 220 (+61 2 8007 6760)

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Business Events News is a publication of Business Events News Pty Ltd ABN 80 153 775 449. All content is fully protected by copyright. Please obtain written permission to reproduce any material. While every care has been taken in preparation of the newsletter no liability can be accepted for errors or omissions. BEN takes no responsibility for the opinions of its contributors/ columnists. Information is published in good faith to stimulate independent investigation of the matters canvassed. Responsibility for editorial comment is taken by Bruce Piper.

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